Tuesday, May 24, 2011

1st ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY CONTEST IN HONOR OF OUR SERVICEMEN/WOMEN

With Memorial Day just a few days away, I thought this would be a perfect time to host a contest for a chance to win several prizes including a couple of copies of my erotic contemporary novella, Skin Deep, a $15.00 Gift Certificate to Secret Cravings Publishing, a $10 iTunes Gift Card, and ... a "Surprise Bag" (who doesn't LOVE a surprise?!? *winks*) filled with lots of goodies and swag!

All you need to do to be entered for one of these prizes is leave a comment, but not for me.

Instead, I want all who participate to leave a comment for our beloved and brave servicemen and women, past and present. Consider this a special place to leave a message in honor of, or on behalf of a loved one, or to any of our servicemen/women in general. Take as much space as you need ... there's no limit one can put on words from the heart!

I'm going to 'gather' all the comments at the end of the contest and put together a booklet to include with a package of books I am sending to a wonderful servicewoman through Operation Paperback! (http://www.operationpaperback.org/)

The contest will run through Friday, June 3rd and end at midnight. Winners will be announced and notified over the weekend. Be sure to leave your e-mail address at the end of your comment so I can contact you if you're a winner! Winners will be chosen by Random.org!

Have an AWESOME Memorial Day!!! Without the service men and women from past and present we would not have the freedoms we do today.They aren't given the respect and honor each and every one of them deserve. I hope you all take the time to give Thanks to them.Say a prayer for all both past and present.Also don't forget the families of them.They all give so much for their country. Also a Thank you for this contest.To the special service lady I want to say Thank You.May you stay safe.

I wake up in the morning to take another breath. I shake my head and realize I'm alive today to take another breath because of God and my service people.

If it wasn't because of them living and dieing for us,I wouldn't be here writing this comment. So many of our woman and men have died giving up there lives for us to be able to vote, drive a car, marry who we want, wear want we want, and to be able to go where we want.

So thank you each and everyone of you from the bottom of my heart. For giving me freedom in writing this comment.

You are all in my prayers each and everyday for your safe return to your family's.

To all the brave and committed servicemen and women out there from Canada and the United States, I have nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for all of you. You have chosen to protect, defend and honor both countries and for this, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

My father served in the Canadian Air Force and he taught me to never forget the people who serve our country and the veterans who have served. They must be held in high esteem as they are the reason we have our freedom and continue to have our freedom.

God bless all of you and your sacrifices. Come home soon to your loving families, who wait with arms open wide for your return.

I think of those in the service every day. As a former Navy WIN (aka WAVE), I spent four years serving. I met my Mr. Right thanks to Uncle Sam, and we're still together, 37 years later. That was the one of the best benefits I gained! :)

The greatest benefit though is the pride I feel for having served my country. When the Star Spangled Banner plays, chills run up my spine. Now that vets are allowed to salute in civvies during the anthem, I do so with tears in my eyes. When some speaker in a meeting asks veterans to stand, I'm proud to be among them. Being able to do so with my husband is an incredible honor. We hadn't met prior to joining, but had enlisted on the same day, and ended up in tech school together. I'm thankful neither of us had to serve during war time. It breaks my heart to know there are some whose loved ones did not return from duty.

My father and father-in-law both served, as did my older sister, two nephews, a niece, a son, and a son-in-law. Those who have had the privilege and opportunity to serve in the armed forces hold a special kinship with those who are currently on duty. We have been there, away from home, alone, sitting on watch in the dark wondering how everyone is doing back home. I salute those who stand for our country, and sacrifice to make this a free nation. My thoughts, prayers, and heart are with you each and every day. God bless.

My prayers goes out for all servicemen and women who gives their all to keep me safe and free. Think of all those who can not be with friends and families this week end because they are making sure we can still be able to get together with ours. My prayers and thanks are such small things to pass on considering what all you and the fellow servicemen and women are doing for me. GOD Bless you and Thank you from the bottom of my heart. susan Leech garysue@dejazzd.com

It is a pleasure and a privilege to have this opportunity to address real-life heroes. As an author I frequently write about this wonderful trait that resides in the character of a person who can lay down their life for another. YOU...are the heroes that books are made of. More importantly is the reality of all you do. A gift not to be found in nor fully expressed in any one person's lifetime. You've protected my parents and you will protect my children and their children. The freedom we have...that very same freedom you sacrifice your lives for can only be expressed in deep gratitude by a nation.

May the Good Lord direct you, watch over you and keep you safe until your return to those who love you. Your family and me.

I honor all of the men and women who are in the service. I come from a military family and so does my husband. Neither of us were able to serve (we signed on in the days when they were turning people away). I hope our children are able to be in the service. We should serve our country and protect our freedom.jepebATverizonDOTnet

I wish to honor all of our service men and women and thanks them for their service. My father was a veteran of the Korean War. My nephew, Zack, who has been like a son to me, is a helicopter pilot with the Army and shipping out to Iraq soon.

To all active and retired members of the armed forces, thank you for providing my family and I the freedom to live our lives in a great country. And I thank your families for the sacrifices they make so that you can protect our freedom.

I've been Memorial Day posts all weekend (Fri-Mon) and am humbled by the stories shared by authors. So many of us have either served in the military or had family members, relatives, or friends that have served. What an amazing example of pride in our country and strength in our beliefs.

We, as American citizens, are blessed to live in a country with the freedom to live our lives any way we choose. Freedom of Religion allows the belief of any religion without persecution. As an author, I have the Freedom of Speech. I can write on any subject I choose without fear of reprisal. As a citizen, I have the right to Life, Liberty, and Justice. Our United States Constitution guarantees these rights.

We hear these phrases through education in school, through church, and even through pop culture. Hearing these words is NOT the same as living them. I know what these words mean, but I've not felt the power and impact of these words as keenly as the soldiers, past and present, that have lived them.

For those now actively serving, THANK YOU for protecting the life I'm blessed to have. For those that have died serving our country, THANK YOU for making the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom and love. To the families behind these phenomenal men and women, THANK YOU for supporting them in following a higher calling.

Thank you to my son, who is in the navy, serving his country. To all the brave men and women in the armed forces that work to keep us safe - thank you for making it possible for us to be safe and free. God bless you every one.

There is not a whole lot one can say besides thank you thank you for all thatyou do even when you dont get the respect you deserve or the recognition. I thank the fallen the most their sacrifice goes unnoticed but one day a year. My father was a navy man as was my fiancee so i hold a great respect for the armed forces and all that they do so thank you and safe journeys

I want to express my sincere gratitude to those men and women who put their lives on the line in defense of our country and its ideals. To the families of those soldiers, your sacrifices are not forgotten. The bravery that everyone associated with the military displays everyday is humbling and truly appreciated. Thanks to each and everyone of you!

I would like to thank the men and women who serve. I have had family who have served and have been grateful for all that they have done past, present and future. I wish all of you could be home with your families for the holidays and hope that you will be able to come home soon. thank you again for your service and hope that all of you stay safe and are able to come home soon.